Houston, Texas, launched its first Black Restaurant Week yesterday, with 20 restaurants crafting special menus to honor the impact of African-American chefs, restaurant owners and caterers on the city’s culinary landscape, and to encourage restaurantgoers to challenge their usual dining-out habits. Following in the footsteps of a similar weeklong event in Memphis, Houston has planned a packed lineup of events where diners can sample lunch, brunch and dinner dishes from places serving a diverse array of cuisines, including African, North African, Caribbean, Cajun, soul food and barbecue, plus wine and cocktail pairings and themed happy hours.

Houston-area food enthusiasts can book tickets to the week’s various events, including a pop-up dinner at the Houston Museum of African-American Culture, via the BRW website. This year’s participants include: